398 The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser. 



for habit or continued use wliicli tends to decrease the 

 susceptibility for individual drugs, for idiosyncrasy which 

 can only be discovered by observing the action of the 

 agent on the particular subject, and for the influence of 

 disease when that is likely to affect the action. Thus in 

 most diseases of the braia and spmal cord and in some 

 impactions of the stomach, double the usual quantities of 

 purgative medicine will be necessary, while in influenza 

 and other low fevers half the usual doses may prove fatal. 

 In acute congestion of the brain, stimulating narcotics 

 (opium, belladonna, hyoseyamus,) would aggravate the 

 symptoms, etc. 



3. FKEQUENCY OF ADMINISTRATION. 



Anodynes, Antispasmodics, Narcotics, Sedatives and 

 Stimulants may generally be repeated once in four or six 

 hours in order to maintain their effect. Alteratives, Dia- 

 phoretics, Febrifuges, Refrigerants and Tonics may be 

 administered twice daily. Purgatives should only be 

 given when necessary and should never be repeated until 

 from the lapse of time we are assured that the first dose is 

 to remain inoperative. Thus unless in urgent need, a 

 hoi'se should not take a second dose of physic under 

 thirty-six hours after the exhibition of the first, and in all 

 cases, until the medicine has worked oW, he should be 

 kept at rest and allowed only warm bran mashes and 

 water with the chill taken off. In ruminants a second dose 

 may be ventured on in twelve or sixteen hours, and in 

 carnivora and omnivora ia from seven to ten hours. 

 Emetics should be given in fuU doses and repeated in five 

 or ten minutes if they fail to take effect, their action being 

 further solicited by copious draughts of tepid water and 

 tickling of the back of the mouth with a feather. 



4. FOEM TO ADMINISTEB. 



Drugs may often be given as powder or solution in the 

 food or water ; they may be made into a soft solid with 



